Characterisation of indigenous chicken production systems in the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon

M T Haoua, C T Keambou¹, M Y Poutougnigni² and Y Manjeli²

Faculty of exacts and applied sciences, University of N’djamena, P.O. Box 1117, N’djamena Chad
haouatahir12@yahoo.fr
¹ Faculty of Science, university of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea Cameroon
² Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang Cameroon

Abstract

From January to September 2010, studies were undertaken in rural, peri-urban and urban areas of the Sudano-sahelian agro-ecological zone of Cameroon to characterize the production system of indigenous chicken populations. The study was also aimed at generating information on village based indigenous chicken utilization, management practices, opportunities and challenges. Thirteen villages were investigated in the Far-north and North regions using a structured questionnaire. The study of Sudano-sahelian local chicken production system revealed that women are responsible for chicken rearing in households (72.5%), the level of education was variable, with 45.1% sampled farmers who have never gone to school, and only 3.9% having post secondary school of education. Auto-consumption of chicken was the general and major objective of chicken breeding in the area (23.5%). Goat, cattle, sheep and small birds were associated to chickens in the household by the proportions of 32.21, 28.11, 10.70, and 17.79% respectively.

The majorityof farmers (76.5%) supplement their chickens and share their house (60.8%) with their animals. Health care was negligible, since no vaccination (70.6%) and no medical treatment (54.9%) was given to animals. Diseases and predators are the main challenges (15.7%) in the local chicken production system in the Sudano-sahelian agro-ecological zone of Cameroon. Majority of interviewed chicken owners showed a great interest to boost up existing village chicken production in the area. Efforts should be made to improve the production and productivity of village chicken in a sustainable way and to shift from the extensive system to semi-intensive husbandry, with emphasis on disciplinary support of services like: health, husbandry, research, extension training and credit intervention.

Keywords: extension, foraging, genotype, local, ruraL scavenging, village

Introduction

Developing countries have indigenous chickens with diverse uses and benefits. The local chicken genetic resource in tropical and sub-tropical countries are becoming seriously endangered due to the high rate of genetic erosion resulting from chicken diseases, especially Newcastle and from predation (Agbédé et al 1995; MoALD and Marketing 1996; Ondwassy et al 1999; Fotsa et al 2007; Moreki et al 2010). Furthermore, the extensive and random distribution of exotic chicken breeds by both governmental and non-governmental organisations is believed to dilute the indigenous genetic stock (Sonaiya 1997; Tadelle et al 2001). The description of indigenous chicken populations is in line with the FAO report (FAO 1999). The FAO states that animal genetic resources in developing countries in general are being eroded through the rapid transformation of the agricultural system. The intensification of agricultural system is the main cause of the loss of indigenous Animal Genetic Resources (AnGRs). This is due to the uncontrolled introduction of exotic genetic resource before proper characterisation, utilization and conservation of indigenous genetic resources.

Poultry production has a peculiar privilege to contribute to the livestock production sector (Mekonen 2007). This is mainly due to small size and rapid rate of reproduction compared to most other livestock (Delgado et al 1998; Mekonen 2007). There are varieties of poultry production systems resulting from considerable differences that exist in the physical and socio-economic circumstances of rural communities in developing countries (Kitalyi 1996). Different names have been given to diverse poultry production systems. These include: village family, free range, scavenging, rural or traditional and smallholder poultry production (Cumming 1992; Tadelle and Ogle 1996a; Kitalyi 1996; Gueye 2000; Alemu 2003; Gausi et al 2004).

Although there is this diversity, poultry production systems in tropical regions are mainly based on the scavenging of indigenous chickens (Dwinger et al 2003). Approximately 80% of the chicken populations in Africa are reared in this system (Gueye 1998). The village chicken is also an integrated component of nearly all rural, many peri-urban and some urban households (Branckaert et al 1999).

In Cameroon, local chicken is nearly 80% of the national poultry flock in Cameroon and it is reared in nearly 70% of rural households (Ngou Ngoupayou 1990; Tchoumboue et al 2000). Local chickens plays an important role in the socio-cultural life for wedding ceremonies, the rejection of the curse, traditional medicines and maintaining social cohesion within traditional communities through donations and receiving distinguished visitors (Gueye 1998; Fotsa et al 2007). Raising local chicken requires very little investment and it represents economic activity for about 1.6 million rural families  (Pone 1998). This chick has so far been subject to natural selection, which explains the high variability and adaptability that are commonly granted.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the local poultry production system and to generate information on village based indigenous chicken utilization, management practices, opportunities and challenges.

Materials and Methods

The characterisation of study area

The Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon covers far north and north regions (Photo 1).

Climate of study area

The Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon is under the tropical climate of the Sudan type, it is located between 8.5°N and 14°E, covering 99.822 km², with a population of 2.687.860. Population density varies from 13/Km² in the South part to 54/km² in the North part (Cameroon reports 2001).

The Sudano-sahelian zone is hot and dry and the rainfall is relatively small (650 to 1200 mm per year) decreasing from south to north, the temperature vary between 24°C to 28°C dry and relatively cool from November to January, dry and hot from January to April, torrentially rainy from April to June and cool and sporadically wet from June to November. The year begins under the influence of the harmatan winds in the dry season. In this period, temperatures are at their highest (Gwanfogbe et al 1983).

Plant and animal life

The Sudano-sahelian zone in Cameroon is a land of savanna. Most of the area is covered by thin grasses punctuated by thorny shrubs, Faidherbia, and Karita. The territory was once more heavily forested, but repeated burning and livestock trampling has left this original vegetation only in the valleys.

This zone of the country was once home to most of Africa's iconic species: antelope, chacals, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, heron, hippopotamus, hyenas, jaguars, lions, monkeys, warthogs, and others (Hudgens et al 1999).

Photo1. Cameroon Agro-ecological map and the study area

Data collection

Taking into account the relative social and geo-climatic conditions in each region of the North and Far-north of Cameroon, 4 villages in the North and 9 villages in the Far-north of Cameroon were randomly selected among those easily accessible by road , but also to have a representative sample of the Sudano-sahelian region. In each village, the data collected depended on the availability of chickens and willingness of farmers to provide information. Interviews and data collection were done at the levels of households when possible of urban, peri-urban and rural areas. Relevant data was obtained from 51 farmer’s households in the thirteen villages. Information on ownership and management of birds was collected through interviewed animal owners and recorded accordingly. These data included household herd, farming system: housing, feeding, health and egg management and the general challenges faced by the farmers. Data were collected within a period of nine months (January to September 2010).

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Socio-economic characterisation

The socio-economic characteristics of local chicken production systems in the sudano-sahelian agro-ecological zone of Cameroon are presented in table 1.

 More than half of the respondents were between 30-50 years of age and from different ethnic groups: Fulbe, guizica, mbororo, moundang and massa.  Their level of education was very low as 45.1% have never gone to school and only 3.9% had post secondary level of education.  The principal activity was agriculture practiced only in the rainy season. Chicken breeding objectives were varied with only 23.5% of farmers were raising chicken for consumption; mixed objectives predominated - as gift, present to visitors and sacrifices during the holidays.

Flock structure

In the current study, the respondents stated that the flock size varied between seasons (Table 2). 

Associated animals

We observed different kinds of animals in the households (Table 3; Photos 2 and 3).

Photo 2 : Goats associated with chickens	Photo 3: Pigeon and peacock with chicken

Among animals species associated with local poultry farming in the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon, goats, cattle and sheep were dominant. Pigs constituted only 2.1% of the animals held by farmers.

Management practices

Feed and feeding

The study showed that all farmers practiced the scavenging system, and almost all offered some kind of supplementation (Table 4; Photos 4 and 5).

Photo 4 : Supplementing chickens in the household	Photo 5 : Scavenging system

Housing

Most farmers had separate houses for their chickens (Photo 6), while some let their birds overnight on the roofs and trees (Photo 7). Not all the chicken houses were equipped with drinkers, troughs or nests. Hens lay and hatch in the kitchens or on old mud plates. Furthermore, most of the chicken houses also serve as shelter for other animals like goats, sheep and cattle. Almost all (98%) of these houses were made of mud. Photograph 6 present shelter houses for chicken. In addition, chickens live on the trees in some cases (Photo 7).

Photo 6 : Types of separated housing of chickens in the study area	Photo 7 : Chickens may overnight in the trees

Disease incidence and control

Most farmers did not pay attention to health care of their chickens: most have never given vaccine to their birds, nor provide any treatment. Veterinary technical assistance was limited.

Eggs

Most of the farmers leave the eggs to hatch and produce chicks (Photos 8 and 9); none are sold and few are eaten.

Photo 8: Broody hen in household	Photo 9 : Hen hatches the eggs naturally

Challenges of indigenous chicken production systems

The farmers faced a range of constraints that affected chicken production (Table 5).

Discussion

In the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon, keeping of chickens is widely practised. The majority of the owners were women, which is in agreement with reports of Fotsa et al (2007), Mcainish et al (2004), Mekonin (2007) and Halima et al (2007) that in sub-saharan Africa most households are keeping chickens under free range system with owwnership by women. Fotsa et al (2007) showed that 68% of the chicken flocks are owned and controlled by women in the forest zone of Cameroon.

The practice of limited supplementary feeding is in agreement with the report of Mwalusanya et al (2001) that scavenging was the main source of indigenous chicken food, despite occasional supplementation with kitchen leftover, cereal bran and small amounts of cereal grains during harvest time. This type of feeding management results in low productivity of indigenous chicken. There is an urgent need to address this situation in order to improve productivity of this resource. Other studies in Sudan (Khalafallah et al 2001) in Ethiopia (Asefa 2007; Mekonen 2007) and in Kenya (Kingori et al 2009) reported the same results.

More than half of the farmers had separate bird houses. This is contrary to the report of Mekonen (2007) in which it is stated that the majority of households chickens have no separate houses. Farmers not affording houses to their chicken advanced numerous reasons, such as the belief that housing will predispose birds to parasites, predation and diseases. This is possible since McAnish et al (2004) reported that the material used for houses as well as nests could make good living and hiding conditions for external parasites such as the fowl tick, mites and fleas. However, it is very important that chickens are housed so that their productivity could be improved, as long as they are managed properly (Badubi et al 2006).

According to Aini (1990), in free range and backyard poultry production system, diseases are the major limiting factors in developing countries. Agbédé et al (1995), Ekué et al (2002) and Fosta et al (2007) confirm this result. Spradbrow (1993), Yongolo (1996) and Halima (2007) reported that the major causes of death for local chickens in Ethiopia were seasonal out-breaks of chicken diseases, especially Newcastle disease (NCD).  The availability of vaccines and veterinary drugs to village chicken producers in the study area was generally poor. Lack of knowledge about the vaccines and vaccination and lack of attention were major reasons indentified for the prevalence of NCD in the area. It was also  found that the available vaccines and drugs were relatively expensive and sold in large quantity batches (for example, in 50 doses for NCD vaccines) such that they were uneconomic for farmers, who generally keep small-sized flocks. The results of the current study revealed that there is need for serious intervention in disease control so as to improve chicken production and productivity in the study zone. In this regard, Javed et al (2003) reported that village that vaccinated against diseases like NCD and fowl-box performed better than others.  Predation has also been cited as another important constraint for village chicken production system in the Sudano-sahelian agro-ecological zone. This is corroborated by Bell and Abdou (1995), Ndegwa et al (1999) in Kenya, Halima et al (2007) in Ethiopia and in most African countries.

Conclusions

• The production performances of indigenous chickens in the Sudano-sahelian agro-ecological zone of Cameroon were much lower compared to those of commercial flocks.
  
  
• Indigenous chicken production is a way of increasing rural income and also economic empowerment of the rural people, specifically for women and youths.
  
  
• There is a need to design and implement a national research program to collect, conserve and improve the indigenous chickens in order to enhance the traditional poultry production in the rural areas of the country.

Acknowledgments

Great thanks and appreciation are due to AUF (Agence universitaire de francophonié) and Government of Chad for their financial support and to the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang for their moral and direct support.

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Received 2 May 2014; Accepted 9 January 2015; Published 4 February 2015

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